CNN 5 Things

When Life Got Hard, They Tried a New Morning Routine

October 3, 2026·15 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

At Rikers Island in New York, a book club co-founded by Nora Fried and Julia Fox gives incarcerated women a chance to read, write and feel seen. A robot built from recycled plastic is giving deaf students a new way to learn STEM. Why more people are choosing to start their day with coffee and a rave. A high school science teacher found something paleontologists had never seen before. Plus, meet the youngest player ever to claim the highest women's title in chess.  Host/Producer: Krista Bo Polanco  Producer: Eryn Mathewson   Senior Producer: Felicia Patinkin  Editorial Support: Paola Ortiz, Steve Tuemmler, Sophia Anderson, Natalie Haytayan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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